Town and Country Village in Palo Alto has turned into quite the destination spot, with its upscale clothing shops, a doggy boutique, several expensive, hip restaurants and new landscaping, including imported giant palm trees. It can all be a bit much, even for a longtime Palo Altan. But nestled next door to the popular Mayfield Bakery & Cafe is a tiny patisserie that is worth the parking hassle.

The Mayfield Bakery, attached to its parent restaurant but with its own entrance, offers buttery, French-style treats, an out-of-this-world chocolate-caramel tart, espresso drinks far superior to the chains, and bread with the kind of dense, wheaty crust that you’ll find yourself tearing into in the car on your way home, as I seem to do every time.

Whether you are meeting a friend for lunch or stopping to pick up a couple of loaves to bring home, grabbing a nonfat mocha you’ll swear was made with cream, or a dark, rich brownie studded with chocolate chunks, my bet is that you’ll find yourself forgetting about the calories and digging into your order with abandon.

Mayfield’s storefront entrance and window wall provide airy light to the small, rectangular space. Three two-person cafe tables provide minimal indoor seating, but sidewalk tables and benches along the Village’s covered walkways mean you usually can find a spot to sit down. Order at the counter by choosing off the chalkboard or just by perusing the baskets of bread and case of pastries and sandwiches. Be aware that the crowd ebbs and flows throughout the day.

For a late lunch, I was happy to find there was still Salad of the Day ($4.75), a rustic mixture of golden Yukon potatoes, button mushrooms, caramelized onions and bite-sized bright-green sprigs of broccolini. A vinaigrette brought it all together, and the oblong dish it arrived in was piled high, with plenty to share. Salads vary each day, depending on what local ingredients are available.

Sandwiches, all served on housemade bread and grilled like a panini if you like, are another great choice. The chicken, bacon and Brie ($8.25) is a melty comfort combo of tender grilled white meat and creamy Brie between two crunchy, toasted slabs of just-crisp goodness. Roast beef, ham and cheese and a veggie selection ($7.75) each have a slight twist to give them a pleasant surprise.

Sweets at the bakery are mostly exceptional, made from real butter and cream, excellent chocolate and locally grown (when possible) fresh fruits. Mayfield knows how to make a crust that is flaky, tender and tastes deeply of butter. The restaurant and bakery work largely with local purveyors and farmers.

Bite-sized peanut butter squares with chocolate ganache ($4.75) will make you swear off Reese’s. The chocolate-caramel tart is its own tiny, fluted delicacy. A breakfast parfait of yogurt, pumpkin mousse and toasted granola ($5) is a healthier choice. A dark, moist gingerbread layer cake is another scrumptious accompaniment to a cappuccino or Earl Grey tea.

The chalkboard offers so many teas and coffee blends that you can spend 10 minutes just deciding what to drink. I’m a dedicated fan of Peet’s, but Mayfield’s mochas ($4) are smoother and richer, almost a dessert in themselves.

Mayfield Bakery won’t offer the same large menu of savory items as a full-scale restaurant, but it’s a fine place to treat yourself to a little something. If you’re in too much of a hurry to stop and smell the roses, at least you can smell the homemade bread.

Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday; 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday-SundayTypes of food: Artisan bakery with hand-shaped breads baked in a stone hearth, European pastries and desserts, salads and sandwiches, espresso and teaAverage meal price: Less than $10Good choices: Cranberry-walnut or levain baguettes, chocolate-caramel tart, toasted chicken and Brie sandwichNot recommended: Avoid the noon and after-school rushes, or be prepared to experience road rage in the parking lotAttitude: Cozy bakery with friendly servers who can get a little overwhelmed if the line gets too longAmenities: High-quality ingredients, free parking, takeout for everythingVegetarian options: All the pastries and bread, plus a veggie sandwich and salad of the dayDrinks: Espresso bar and extensive tea lists, no alcoholEat in car: Everything, if you don’t mind the crumbsNext-day edibility: Salads and sandwiches, not so much; pastries will be just fineWho goes there: Parents with kids in tow, business people looking for respite from their day, bread connoisseurs Credit cards: YesParking: Free lots, but they fill up

Restaurant reviews are conducted anonymously. The Mercury News pays for all meals.